BERKELEY — Businesses in the Berkeley Township area are eagerly anticipating the arrival of the 2014 Joe Graziano New Jersey State Little League Championships from July 23 to July 28 at Berkeley Township Little League located at 43 Moorage Ave. in Bayville.

Fred Rauchbach, the owner of the Dairy Queen located near the intersection of Moorage Avenue and Route 9 in Berkeley, says summer time is his best season for customers at the store. So, a tournament of this magnitude can only enhance that.

“I’ve owned the Dairy Queen for 15 years,” Rauchbach said. “We just hope that everyone comes down to the shore and enjoys themselves and sees what Ocean County has to offer.”

The New Jersey Little League state tournament for 12 year olds will feature four teams representing four different sections of New Jersey. Berkeley Little League is also the host for the New Jersey State Junior League Championships.

Section 1 covers the North and Northwestern part of the state including parts or all of Bergen, Morris, Sussex, Passaic, Hunterdon,Warren and Somerset Counties. Section 2 covers the Northeastern part of the state and includes parts or all of Bergen, Hudson, Essex, and Union Counties. Section 4 covers the Southern part of the state and includes parts or all of Gloucester, Camden, Burlington, Salem, Atlantic, Cumberland and Cape May Counties. And finally section 3 covers the central part of the state and includes parts or all of Monmouth, Ocean and Middlesex county.

These teams will compete for the right to represent New Jersey in the Little League Eastern Regional Tournament for 12 year olds in Bristol, Conn. from August 1-10.

Rauchbach, who already is a sponsor of the Berkeley Little League team, says his store will be open from 10:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. during the tournament and he’s giving a little bit more for the overall event.

“We’re donating ice cream for the banquet the tournament is having,” Rauchbach said. “We just want to make it a special event for the teams that make it to the state tournament and we hope there is a great response from the community.”

The ShopRite located on Route 9 between Frederick Drive and Korman Road in Berkeley, a short distance from Moorage avenue, is owned by the Perlmutter Family.

The store which will be open for its normal business hours of Monday through Thursday from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday, 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. is welcoming all participants for the New Jersey Little League state tournaments.

“We’ve taken out an advertisement in the program booklet and we’re supplying the food for the banquet,” said Jen McMahon, director of Human Resources for the Perlmutter Family ShopRites. “Our philosophy at Perlmutter Family ShopRites is that our donations go back to the community and to children.”

Hotels in the area like the Hershey Motel in Seaside Heights, have already begun filling up with guests of the New Jersey Little League state tournaments.

“We’ve blocked off some rooms for the tournament and some of the umpires and game officials made reservations with us,” said John McGrath, who’s family owns the motel. “We don’t know what teams will be in the tournament yet but we’re open for business.”

The Hersey Motel has 109 guest rooms, two pools, a small arcade, a restaurant/bar, is very family friendly and located near the boardwalk, says McGrath.

“People like coming here and vacationing here,” McGrath said. “It is unlike any other hotel in Seaside Heights. We certaintly have a loyal customer base and we do stay busy in the summer months. But we’re welcoming with open arms anyone that wants to stay with us during the tournament.”